Future plan to close Kinloch Lakefront Reserve to vehicles

Kinloch Lakefront Reserve is set to be closed to vehicle traffic in the future but only once alternative car parking has been created.

Taupo District Council made the decision at its last meeting of the year on Tuesday, following the consideration of submissions from the community.

A report was first presented to council in November 2014 after issues were raised about the protection of notable trees on the reserve, vehicle access, ongoing erosion and growth of the Kinloch community.

At that time, the council resolved to undertake a consultation exercise and in October last year it considered submissions and decided to develop a more detailed design for consideration by residents.

Since then, the details of the potential design and likely costs had become clearer. The latest round of consultation had highlighted the value many people in the district place on the ability for families to recreate in a safe family-friendly environment, preferably in a vehicle-free space so there is no danger of any mishaps.

Policy manager Nick Carroll said the current reserve management plan was adopted in 2007 and since then Kinloch's usually resident population had increased by 57 per cent. Growth was expected to continue and the lakefront was a finite resource, so it should be protected for future generations.

"Officers are of the view the focus of the area should be shifted to recreation areas for people, not car parking," he said. The council also had a duty to meet its obligation to protect a number of notable poplar trees on the lakefront under its District Plan.

Waikato Regional Council had also raised concerns about ongoing erosion issues and the need to protect the vegetation which stabilises the foreshore, he said.

During discussions concerns were raised that an immediate closure of the reserve could cause issues for residents as vehicles that usually parked on the reserve would be displaced.

Mr Carroll said a reconfiguration of the current parking along the left hand side of Kinloch Esplanade to angle parking could provide an increase of parking from 17 to 46 spaces. However, this would require physical works which could not happen before the busy holiday season, he said.

The council agreed to amend the reserve management plan to reflect the closure of the reserve to vehicles but not to enact the closure until the additional car parking had been created. This was unlikely to happen until mid-2017.